The Council Urges U.S. to Eliminate Mexican Tariffs

Posted: April 7, 2009

The Personal Care Products Council has issued a statement urging the United States to eliminate tariffs imposed on the United States by Mexico. According to the council, the 15% tariffs recently imposed by Mexico on U.S. manufactured products impact virtually all personal care products—including makeup, skin care, nail care, shaving goods, hair care, oral care, deodorants and antiperspirants.

The tariffs on imported U.S. goods was established by Mexico as a result of the suspension of a NAFTA agreement allowing Mexican 18-wheelers to deliver goods across the border. The tariffs cover nearly $2.4 billion U.S. goods and are on about 90 products from 40 states. Mexican Economy Secretary Gerardo Ruiz Mateos passed the tariffs when he found that the suspension of the truck agreement violated the NAFTA agreement.

“As a global industry, our member companies strongly support free trade and depend on open borders to manufacture, supply, distribute and market a broad array of personal care products that consumers around the world use every day," said Francine Lamoriello, executive vice president of global strategies for The Personal Care Products Council in the published statement. The council is actively engaged with foreign industry associations, foreign governments and the U.S. government to advocate free trade policies and resist technical barriers that would hinder international product development and marketing, and would result in jobs lost at home and abroad. We encourage a speedy resolution."